With the writer’s strike and the holidays behind us, it is time to hit the grind again. But don’t fret! I’m here to help with this handy list of some screenplay competitions and fellowships that are definitely worth entering. From zero-cost entry to genre-specific competitions, there is something for every writer to submit to over the next few months.
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Accepts original pilots and features.
Recipients get: Seven days of professional, virtual meetings with executives, agents, and managers. Three months of career consultation.
Late Deadline: January 31, 2024
TheScriptLab Free To Enter Screenplay Contest
Accepts original features and pilots.
Grand Prize includes: $500 cash, career consultation, and distribution to theScriptLab’s network of hundreds of industry professionals.
Regular Deadline: January 31, 2024
Emerging Screenwriters Comedy Screenplay Competition
Accepts original, comedy features and pilots.
Grand Prize includes: $1,500 cash, 12 Month ISA Connect Membership, and career consultation with ISA’s development team.
Early Deadline: January 25, 2024
Regular Deadline: February 15, 2024
Final Deadline: March 21, 2024
Emerging Screenwriters Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenplay Competition
Accepts original, sci-fi and fantasy features and pilots.
Grand Prize includes: $1,500 cash, 12 Month ISA Connect Membership, and career consultation with ISA’s development team.
Early Deadline: January 25, 2024
Regular Deadline: February 15, 2024
Final Deadline: March 21, 2024
ScreenCraft True Story and Public Domain Screenplay Competition
Accepts pilots and features based on existing IP in the public domain, biographies, and true stories.
Grand Prize includes: $1,000 cash, entry to the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program, and an invitation to a Finalist only workshop.
Early Deadline: January 31, 2024
Regular Deadline: February 29, 2024
Final Deadline: March 31, 2024
The Golden Script Competition
Accepts original features, web series, TV pilots, and shorts
Grand Prize includes: 1on1 Masterclass with BAFTA-nominee John J. McLaughlin, 1year ISA Connect Membership, and 4 month InkTip Pro Membership.
Final Deadline: March 21, 2024
Extended Deadline: March 28, 2024
PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS
Accepts Features, Shorts, and Pilots. Features are subdivided into seven genre competitions. Pilots are subdivided into Drama and Comedy. And yes, you can enter your script into multiple genre categories!
Grand Prize includes: $25,000 cash, InkTip Pro Membership, Roadmap Promo Package, and gift cards to Amazon, Office Depot, Starbucks, and Netflix.
Early Deadline: January 15, 2024
Regular Deadline: February 15, 2024
Late Deadline: March 15, 2024
Last Minute Deadline: April 15, 2024
Los Angeles Crime & Horror Screenplay Contest
Accepts features, shorts, and pilots in the crime and horror subgenres from produced or unproduced films.
Grand Prize includes: four months of free listings at InkTip, and consideration from reps at Zero Gravity Management, ThinkTank Management & Production, and The Blood List.
Regular Deadline: January 13, 2024
Extended Deadline: February 3, 2024
Final Deadline: April 6, 2024
Shore Scripts 2024 Script Development Fund
Accepts the first ten pages or a treatment for features, pilots, and shorts.
Grand Prize includes: $2,000 cash, one year of script development with Shore Scripts, and a six month membership to Stage 32 Writers Room.
Regular Deadline: March 16, 2024
Final Deadline: April 19, 2024
Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Accepts original half hour and one hour pilots.
Grand Prize includes: $20,000 cash, development assistance, introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs.
Early Deadline: March 31, 2024
Regular Deadline: May 31, 2024
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